FIESCO (siqnificantly). Leonora!--I once saw you yield
the place of honour to another.--I saw you, in the presence
of the nobles, receive the second compliment.--Leonora, that
sight tormented me. I resolved it should be so no longer--
Henceforth it ceases. Do you hear the warlike noise which
echoes through my palace?--What you suspect is true.--Retire to rest, Countess--to-morrow you shall awake DUCHESS
OF GENOA-----

LEONORA (clasping her hands together, and throwing herself
into a chair). O God! My very fears! I am undone!

FIESCO (seriously, and with dignity). Let me speak out,
my love. Two of my ancestors wore the triple crown. The
blood of the Fiescos flows not pure unless beneath the purple.
Shall your husband only reflect a borrowed splendour? (In a
more energetic manner.) What! shall he owe his rank alone
to capricious chance, which, from the ashes of mouldering
greatness, has patched together a John Louis Fiesco? No,
Leonora, I am too proud to accept from others what my own
powers may achieve. This night the hereditary titles of
my ancestors shall return to deck their tombs--Lavagna's
counts exist no longer--a race of princes shall begin.

LEONORA (mournfully, and giving way to imagination). I
see my husband fall, transfixed by deadly wounds.--(In a
hollow voice.) I see them bear my husband's mangled corpse
towards me.--(Starting up.) The first--the only ball has
pierced Fiesco's heart-----

FIESCO (tenderly seizing her hand). Be calm, my love.--
The only ball will not strike me.

LEONORA (looking steadfastly at him). Does Fiesco so confidently challenge Heaven? If, in the scope of countless
possibilities, one chance alone were adverse that one might
happen, and I should lose my husband.--Think that thou
venturest Heaven, Fiesco; and, though a million chances
were in thy favour, would'st thou dare tempt the Almighty

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